USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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While the father, now a member,
Honored member of the C'ouneil,
Needs must leave his pleasant fireside,
Go whenever duty calls him To attend the Couneil meetings,
Where he speaks with words of wisdom,
Aims to keep the wheels of progress Turning in the right direction.
Long-time friends today have gathered With sincere congratulations, S'prised them with a silver wedding. At the homestead of a neighbor, At a large and roomy farm home,
Farther on, in Lime Creek valley : Wishing them a pleasant voyage As they journey down life's pathway,
ii-7
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Down the hill of life together, Hoping ere the journey's ended, Ere their life work is completed, By loyal friends again surrounded Will celebrate their golden wedding.
MRS. KNUT E. GRUNHIUVD.
Mrs. Knut E. Grunhuvd is living on section 23, Norway township, Winnebago county, and is one of the well known pioneer women of this section of the state. She has witnessed almost the entire growth and progress of the locality and can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when the homes were widely scattered and the work of improvement seemed scarcely begun. She was born in Norway, July 15, 1852, and is a daughter of Narve Ingebritson and Carrie (Halgrimson) Grunhuvd. Her father was a farmer in Norway and in 1855 he brought his family to the United States, making his way first to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained for a year. In 1856 he came to Winnebago County, settling in Norway township, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23. It was entirely wild and undeveloped, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon the place. It was covered with timber which he had to clear away before he could prepare his land for the plow. He added much to its produetiveness by practical drainage systems, whereby the sloughis were drained and the land rendered productive. Upon the place he put up log buildings and in the early days the family shared in all of the hardships, trials and privations of pioneer life; but as time went on the labors of the father wrought a marked transformation in his land and its increasing productiveness brought to him substantial harvests. He passed away, however, April 9, 1863, and his was the first interment made in the cemetery at Emmons, Minnesota. His wife survived him for a little more than a year, dying on the 22d of August, 1864, when she was laid by his side. He had ranked with the leading farmers of the county and with the prominent citizens of the community. In politics he was a republiean and in religious faith a Lutheran, becoming one of the organizers of the United Lutheran church. He thus left the impress of his individuality upon the moral as well as the material development of his district.
Mrs. Grunhuvd pursued her education in one of the pioneer schools of Winne- bago county. In fact, she was one of the first pupils in the first school of Norway township, with Ellen Hinman as the teacher. She spent her girlhood days upon her father's farm and was trained to the work of the household, so that she was well qualified to manage a home of her own at the time of her marriage. After the death of her parents she went to live with relatives in Clayton county, Iowa, and there she was married on the 11th of November, 1875, to Knut E. Knutson, whose parents had homesteaded in Clayton county, where they farmed until called to their final rest. It was after his marriage that Mr. Knutson changed his name to Grunhuvd. The young couple began their domestic life in Clayton county, where they lived for two years, and in 1877 they removed to the old Grunhuvd homestead, which he cultivated for the estate for five years. In 1882 he purchased the land and continued its further development and improvement until his death,
MR. AND MRS. KNUT E. GRUNHUVD
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which occurred more than thirty-one years later. He put fine improvements upon the farm, making it one of the valuable properties of Norway township. In addition to substantial buildings he secured the latest improved farm machinery in order to facilitate the work of the fields, and his labors brought golden harvests.
In his political views Mr. Grunhuvd was a republican and from time to time was called to serve in township offices. He was a devout member of the United Lutheran church and in that faith passed away on the 9th of August, 1913, at the age of seventy years.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Grunhuvd were eight children but three have passed away, namely: Clara, who died in infancy; Henry, who passed away at the age of eight years and nine months; and Gerhard, who also died in infancy. Like the father, they are buried in the family lot in Lime Crcek cemetery. The five children who survive are: Edward, who is employed in Mason City, but maintains his residence on the home farm; Carl and Norris, who operate the home farm; Clara, who is the wife of Edward Dakken, of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin ; and Alma, at home. Several of the children are still living with the mother on the old homestead, which has now been occupied by the family for four decades. Mrs. Grunhuvd is widely known in this part of Winnebago county, her place being one of the landmarks of the district, and she has lived to witness many interesting changes which have occurred, bringing the county up to its present standard of development and prosperity.
J. CLARENCE ODDEN.
The Quality Store at Lake Mills is well known throughout Winnebago county as an up-to-date and thoroughly reliable establishment and its owner, J. Clarence Odden, has won a place for himself among the leading merchants of the city. He was born on the 14th of November, 1886, in Lake Mills, of the marriage of Charles and Martha (Olson) Odden, who located in Winnebago county on their removal to the United States from Norway. The father engaged in farming and was also a stone mason contractor and through his well directed activity gained a competence. He died in 1892 and is buried in the Winnebago Church cemetery in Center township. The mother survives and lives upon a farm three miles south of Lake Mills.
J. Clarence Odden, who is the oldest in a family of three children, attended the district schools until he was fifteen years of age and later was for two years a student in the University of Southern Minnesota, of Austin, Minnesota. For one year he worked as a bookkeeper in Omaha and for five years was connected with a clothing firmn in Mason City, Iowa. In 1914 he bought out the general store conducted by M. O. Bakken in Lake Mills and he has since given his undivided time and attention to that business. He carries a complete line of furnishings and shoes and his grocery department is well stocked with staple and fancy goods. Ile has adopted as the name of his establishment The Quality Store and has made it his constant endeavor to give the greatest walue possible for the price asked for his merchandise. He manages his affairs in a thoroughly businesslike and sys- tematic manner and has a high standing in the commercial circles of the city.
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In May, 1909, Mr. Odden was united in marriage to Miss Anna Erickson, a daughter of E. N. and Christina ( Arneson) Erickson, who reside in Joice, Worth county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Odden have been born two children, Clarene Adelle and Kermit Wayne.
Mr. Odden supports the republican party at the polls and is now serving in the office of couneilman, in which connection he supports earnestly all pro- posed measures that promise to advance the interests of the community. His publie spirit is further evidenced in his membership in the Commercial Club, of which he is vice president. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 868, Loyal Order of Moose, and Aurora Lodge, No. 412, 1. O. O. F., and his religious faith is that of the United Lutheran church. Through enterprise and good management . he has already gained a gratifying measure of prosperity and his continued success seems assured.
LARS B. STENE.
Lars B. Stene is numbered among the self-made men of Norway township, Winnebago county. He had no assistance at the outset of his career but has worked persistently and energetically, and step by step has advanced toward the goal of prosperity. He was born in Norway, December 18, 1867, and is a son of Bottolf and Ingeborg Stene, who were farming people of that land, where they spent their entire lives. They had seven children, of whom Lars B. was the youngest, and five of the number are still living.
Lars B. Stene remained a resident of Norway through the period of his boyhood and youth and came alone to the United States when twenty-seven years of age. He had been a horse buyer in his native country and on reaching the new world he sought employment as a farm hand. His brother, E. B. Stene, had come to America some years before and was living in Norway township, Winnebago county. It was this that caused Lars B. Stene to become a resident of lowa. For a few years he made his home with his brother and then pur- chased a farm in Clay county, Minnesota, which he cultivated for two years. He afterward returned to Norway township and purchased the east half of the southeast quarter of section 13, and the south half of the northeast quarter of section 24, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of highly productive land, which he has since cultivated. His farm work is carefully con- ducted and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods. He is also a stockholder in the creamery at Emmons.
In 1899 Mr. Stene was united in marriage to Miss Emma Oliana Eriekson, a daughter of Nels and Ingeborg (Olson) Erickson, of Norway township. They have become the parents of nine children, Nels Bernard, Ingeborg Idora, Millie llelena, Anna Matilda, Evelyn Luella, Mabel Jeanette, Ellen Olava, Melvin Erling and Lawrence Ernest, all of whom are yet at home. Mr. Stene and his wife are members of the Synod Lutheran church. His opinions concerning political questions and policy are indicated in the stalwart support which he gives to the republican party. Ile has served as road boss and has also filled the
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office of school director. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their employment has steadily advanced, working his way upward through persistent effort and determination.
J. W. KNADLER.
J. W. Knadler, now serving as deputy elerk of the district court, has been a resident of Garner since 1884. Ile is a native of Hancock county, born Septem- ber 20, 1859, and is a representative of an old and honored pioneer family of this section of the state, being a son of Joseph and Margaret (Bolsinger) Knad- Jer, natives of Germany. On crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1855 they located in New York, where they spent three years, and then came to Han- cock county, Iowa, where the father passed away six months later. In 1864 the mother married Jacob Ward, a farmer of this county, and they continued to reside here until their deaths.
In the county of his nativity J. W. Knadler grew to manhood, in the mean- time attending the public schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1874 he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Cerro Gordo Republican at Mason City and remained with that paper for two years. During the follow- ing eight years he was with the Mason City Express and in 1884 came to Garner and entered the employ of the Hancock Signal, which paper was established in 1870 by George R. Lanning. In 1886 Mr. Knadler purchased an interest in that journal, becoming a partner of H. Il. Bush, and he continued to conduct the paper for eighteen years, selling out in 1904. Hle continued to work at the printer's trade until 1910, when elected elerk of the district court and entered upon the duties of that office. So acceptably did he fill the position that he was re-elected in 1912 and since his retirement from that office has served as deputy.
Mr. Knadler married Miss Lillian Minton, of Racine county, Wisconsin, who died in 1905. Ile is a member of the Methodist church and is also identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a repub- lican and for several terms he served as eity clerk of Garner. Ile is today one of the representative citizens of his native county and a man highly honored and esteemed wherever known.
HERMAN W. BRIDGES.
Herman W. Bridges owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 22, German township, having become a resident of Ilaneock county in 1913. He has, however, been a life-long resident of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Mahaska county, December 17, 1874. His parents, John W. and Emma J. (Linsley) Bridges, were also natives of this state, having been born in Mahaska county. The father is still living at the age of seventy-two years, but the mother has been called to the home beyond.
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No event of special importance ocenrred to vary the routine of farm life for Herman W. Bridges in the period of his boyhood and youth, which was devoted to the acquirement of an education in the district schools of Mahaska county and to work upon the home farm. He continued to assist his father in the plowing, planting and harvesting until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he started out independently, renting a farm near Dows, in Wright county, Iowa, where he lived for eleven years. During that period he carefully saved his earn- ings so that he might eventually become the owner of land and in 1913 he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, German township, Hancock county. He has since devoted this place to general farming and the result of his labors is seen in the attractive appearance of the farm, which is most carefully cultivated. He has placed upon it improvements to the value of thirteen hundred and eighty-five dollars since locating thereon four years ago. He makes a specialty of the raising of horses and keeps high grade stock.
On the 11th of September, 1901, Mr. Bridges was married to Miss Elizabeth Fanselow, a daughter of Fred and Alvina (Betow) Fanselow, who reside at Dows. They are natives of Germany but in early life came to the new world and for many years have been residents of Wright county. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have become parents of seven children, namely: Maude Z., Orville F., Faye, Glenn, Irene, Gladys and Cecil K., all of whom are yet at home and the family circle remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Mr. Bridges is a republican in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the German Methodist Episcopal church, to which he and his wife give loyal adherenee and generous support. He is justly accounted one of the enterprising farmers of the community. Ile studies the question of erop production according to modern scientific methods and his work is carefully and systematically managed, bringing good results.
OTTO A. HANSEN, M. D.
Liberal educational training well qualified Dr. Otto A. Hansen for the onerous and responsible duties which devolve upon him as a general medical practitioner of Forest City, where he has resided since 1896. HIe was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota, March 24, 1865, a son of Andrew and Martha (Kjos) Hansen, who were natives of Norway and came to the United States about 1854, settling first in Chicago, where they resided for but a short time, for the cholera was epidemic there and the grandmother fell a victim to the disease. The family afterward removed to Ilouston county, Minnesota, and the father, who was a carpenter by trade, later took up the occupation of farming in Faribault county, Minnesota, in the Blue Earth settlement, there residing up to the time of his demise.
Dr. Hansen acquired a public school education in Minnesota and afterward attended the State Normal School at Mankato. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he matriculated in the Iowa State University as a medical student and was graduated therefrom in 1896, at which time his pro- fessional degree was conferred upon him. For three years before his graduation
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he practiced in Sioux City under the preceptorship of Dr. J. Hermann and on the 12th of March, 1896, he located in Forest City, where he has since remained. In the interval of twenty-one years he has built up an extensive practice and has con- stantly promoted his knowledge and efficiency through wide reading, study and investigation, as well as through practical experience.
In 1894 Dr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Donaldson, who passed away in 1902, and in 1909 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Bertha Moe, of Thompson, Iowa. By his first marriage he had a daughter, Adela, and the children of the second marriage are Olive, Conkling and Franklin.
Dr. Hansen holds membership in the United Lutheran church and in polities he maintains an independent course. He served for seven years, from 1903 nntil 1910, as coroner of Winnebago county, was health offieer for many years, and has also been a member of the city council, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. For several years he was president of the Waldorf College Associa- tion. Along the line of his profession he has connection with the Hahnemann State Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He is very conseientions as well as capable in the performance of his professional duties and holds high rank as a man and citizen in Winnebago county.
W. KING WELLMAN.
W. King Wellman, of Lake Mills, engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years and gained a competenee that now enables him to enjoy his ease. He has not been satisfied, however, to be without responsibility and has accordingly ยท taken an active part in publie affairs and is now the efficient assistant chief of the city fire department. He was born in Decatur county, Iowa, December 21, 1856, and is a son of B. F. and Eliza Jane (Tennis) Wellman, the former a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1860 they removed with their family to Forest City, Iowa, where they remained until the spring of 1861, when they removed to what is now Lake Mills, where the father bought forty acres of land, including the present site of the high school. Ile farmed that tract for four years and when he sold it received ten dollars an acre in gold, the highest price paid for land up to that time. In 1865 they returned to Forest City and after remaining there a year went back to Deeatur county, where they resided for three years. At the end of that time they went again to Forest City and in 1875 the father bought land in Madison township, Haneoek county, but later in the same year removed to Lake Edwards, where he passed away in 1876. Ile is buried in North cemetery at Forest City. The mother sur- vives and is living in Forest City at the advanced age of eighty-five years. She is still in good health and is highly esteemed.
W. King Wellman, the oldest of a family of eight children, accompanied his parents on their various removals and received a common school education. He early began learning how to do the various kinds of work included in farming and assisted his father until the latter's demise. For seven years thereafter he remained with his mother and operated the homestead, but in 1883, in which year
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he was married, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Norway township, Winnebago county, and for six years farmed that place. The following decade was spent in Lake Mills, but at the end of that time he bought another farm in Norway township which he cultivated for seven years. Since 1909, how- ever, he has lived retired in Lake Mills and rented his farm. As a farmer he was at once practical and progressive and seldom failed to harvest good crops.
On September 29, 1883, Mr. Wellman was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Balch, a daughter of Joseph A. and Deborah (Jenkins) Balch, natives of Vermont. Iler father fought in the Civil war with the Union troops and after the close of hostilities took up a homestead in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming for many years. For some time before his death, how- ever, he lived retired in Lake Mills, passing away on the 17th of October, 1907. Ile is buried in North cemetery at Lake Mills. The mother survives and resides in this city.
Mr. Wellman votes the democratic ticket and for two years held the office of town marshal. He served as chief of the Lake Mills fire department for five years, from 1898 until 1903 and when he removed from his farm to the city in 1909 he was again elected chief, which office he held for five years more. Hle then resigned and became assistant chief, which office he now holds. He has done much to bring the department up to a high standard of efficiency. He is quite prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as he belongs to the subordi- nate lodge, the encampment and the Rebekahs, has passed all the chairs in the lodge, is a reprseentative to the grand lodge, is district deputy and has the dis- tinction of being the oldest member of the order in Lake Mills. He is also identified with the Masonic blue lodge and the Eastern Star. The principle of brotherhood which is at the basis of those organizations has found expression in his daily life and his sterling worth has gained him a host of friends.
WILLIAM FRANK WOODCOCK.
William Frank Woodcock, who is the proprietor of a well patronized general store in Buffalo Center, was born in Kossuth county, four miles west of Algona, August 15, 1822, and is a son of William and Barbara ( McKay) Woodcock, natives respectively of New Brunswick and Maine. They were among the first settlers of Kossuth county and the father took up under the homestead law the east half of the northwest quarter of section 12, range 95, township 30. Ile farmed until 1894, when he retired to Buffalo Center, where he passed away. He was buried in the first cemetery laid out in the town. Of the family five children survive and our subject is the fourth in order of birth.
William F. Woodcock completed his education at the age of sixteen and from that time until he was twenty years old assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, but in 1892 came to Buffalo Center with his brother, John W. Woodcock, in partnership with whom he engaged in the hay business for six years. Later he turned his attention to the real estate field and was active as a dealer in realty until 1908, when he bought ont Charles Leibsohn, a general merchant of Buffalo Center. Ile has proved very successful in the management of his
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store and his stock of dry goods, shoes, clothing and groceries is complete and well adapted to the needs of his patrons. His well earned reputation for reason- able prices has been an important factor in building up the large trade which he enjoys and his store is recognized as the largest and most important one in the town.
Mr. Woodcock was married in 1895 to Miss Catherine Breen, a daughter of Cornelius and Catherine Breen, who homesteaded land near Titonka, Iowa, in the early days of that section and later removed to Wesley, Iowa, where they lived retired. Both are deceased and are buried at Algona. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- cock have two children, Leo and Arnold, both at home.
Mr. Woodcock supports the republican party at the polls but has never been an aspirant for office. He has filled all the chairs in the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which he is now trustee, and has also been a member of the Grand Lodge of lowa, and in the Modern Woodmen of America he has held all the chairs and is now serving as banker. lle began his independent career without capital, but as the years have passed his resources have steadily increased until he is now in excellent circumstances and he takes justifiable pride in the fact that all he has is the direct result of his own industry and the wise direction of his business interests.
0. I. OLSON.
The Scandinavian countries have contributed a valuable element to the citizen- ship of Winnebago county. Among the men of foreign birth living in Forest City is O. I. Olson, a native of Sweden, who for many years was prominently con- nected with general agricultural pursuits but is now living retired. He was born July 12, 1842, a son of Ole and Beulah Olson, who were also natives of Sweden, where they spent their entire lives, both having now passed away. In their family were eight sons, of whom four survive.
O. I. Olson was reared and educated in Sweden and came to the United States in 1880, at which time he made his way at once to Winnebago county, Iowa. For a time he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in his native land, but afterward purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty-nine acres in Newton township. Upon that place he lived for twenty-nine years and his labors and efforts converted it into a valuable and splendidly improved prop- erty equipped with all accessories of a model farm. Well kept fences divided the place into fields of convenient size and his land was carefully cultivated, pro- ducing excellent crops. He made a specialty of raising and feeding stock in addition to farming, but in 1913 he sold his place and removed to Forest City, where he has since lived retired, enjoying a rest that he has truly earned and richly deserves.
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